I never thought I'd be compelled to send a letter to The Observer, but the presumptuousness and superficiality of Kevin Brainard's letter ("Ladies, be decent," April 4) requires a rebuttal.
Style is an art, which means it's receptive to numerous meanings and interpretations. The certainty of the author fails to deal with clothes' ambiguity. His sureness also dismisses the complexity of "reputation" and "respect." These are intricate, subjective concepts: a "good" reputation for one individual might be a "horrid" reputation for another. To me, Brainard's letter doesn't signify a promiscuous, immoral girl. The girl's tights and T-shirt suggest someone who is in touch with the chic, contemporary fashion of American Apparel, Urban Outfitters and others.
Seth Oelbaum
graduate student
off campus
April 4
